The Performing Arts Alliance of Rural Tennessee is presenting a holiday performance for December’s First Fridays event. They are bringing the Tennessee Tech Tuba Ensemble to the stage of the Palace Theatre to perform their “Christmas Tubas” program on Dec. 7.
The TTTE has a record of 25 recording projects, seven Carnegie Hall appearances, two World's Fairs performances, numerous national and international conference engagements, and a performance history in venues like Preservation Hall in New Orleans, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, and the Kennedy Center in Washington.
It has been said that, “the public sometimes views the tuba as simplistic, unsexy – ridiculous even," said Debbie Mendenhall, PAART's president. "But in the correct hands, it is as fast and agile as any horn in the brass section. With a four octave range - greater than any other horn - the registers in which these tubists excel and their dexterity are truly remarkable. I recently had the pleasure of experiencing my first TTU Tuba Ensemble concert. The vision of 20-plus big, polished brass instruments taking the stage was quite impressive but then the first notes were played and the concert hall was filled with the most beautiful, ethereal sound, flowing from smooth and velvety to powerful and moving. I can’t wait to hear them perform my favorite holiday music.”
To learn more about the tuba and euphonium, PAART has also arranged an educational matinee featuring R. Winston Morris and a tuba/euphonium quartet made up of the ensemble’s most talented musicians. This 45 minute presentation will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7. This short lunch-time matinee will be an introduction to the instruments and music that will follow in the evening concert. The educational matinee is open to students and the general public.
Matinee tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students (teachers and group chaperons are admitted free of charge.) Admission to the evening performance of the full ensemble’s “Christmas Tubas” is $12 per adults/$6 students. Tickets for both the matinee and the 7 p.m. performance can be purchased at the Palace Theatre, 72 South Main St., Crossville or by calling 931.484-6133 or online at www.palacetheatre-crossville.com (click on the “Events Schedule” link on the right side of the page.)
PAART is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to bringing talented performing artists to the community.